Nick Simon has identified several wide receivers to consider avoiding in 2025 fantasy football drafts. With the preseason ending and draft season beginning, Simon points out that choosing a top receiver who does not perform as expected can negatively affect a team’s chances early on.
Simon defines a top wide receiver as one falling between No. 1 and No. 30 in average draft position (ADP), according to FantasyPros PPR rankings.
Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers is coming off an impressive rookie year where he became a primary target for Justin Herbert, catching 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. However, Simon notes that Greg Roman’s offense has historically ranked low in pass attempts and new additions like Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris may reduce McConkey’s target share further with Keenan Allen returning as well. Simon writes that while McConkey is likely to be useful most weeks, “I just wouldn’t rush to make him your WR1 unless you absolutely had to make the choice in your draft.”
Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins also receives caution from Simon due to team instability and his own performance decline last season—Hill had 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns, ending his run of top-six fantasy finishes and falling to No. 18 among receivers. At age 31, Hill faces further questions about quarterback stability given Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion history. “Fantasy managers holding out hope that Hill can give them one more year as a strong WR1 candidate need to stay away,” writes Simon.
Marvin Harrison Jr., son of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Marvin Harrison, was the No. 4 overall pick for the Arizona Cardinals but did not meet some expectations in his rookie season despite posting 885 yards and eight touchdowns from 62 catches over sixteen games. Compared with other recent rookies like Malik Nabers or Brian Thomas Jr., Harrison finished as only the No. 42 receiver in PPR leagues. According to Derek Brown at FantasyPros, Arizona’s play-calling affected his output last season, but improved chemistry with Kyler Murray could help going forward. Still, Simon advises: “But I’d take a wait-and-see approach with him and look elsewhere for my second wideout pick.”
DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears experienced a drop-off after leading all receivers in total snaps during 2024 but recording lower totals—98 catches for 966 yards and six touchdowns compared with previous years’ production—and finishing outside the top ten at his position in fantasy scoring. Moore will enter an offense led by new head coach Ben Johnson alongside multiple other receiving threats including Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland which could further impact his usage.
The article concludes by recommending fantasy managers remain cautious when considering these wide receivers based on team changes or declining statistics ahead of the upcoming draft season.
